The Trump administration approves the sale of Patriot missiles to Ukraine amid tensions with Zelensky
The deal, valued at $2.1 billion, includes 500 interceptors, paid for by Canada, Germany, and Norway, without U.S. funding.
Volodymyr Zelensky in a file photo
Ukraine will receive a significant military boost for its air defense. The Department of State approved on Friday the sale of 500 Patriot interceptor missiles for $2.1 billion, a decision that comes at one of the most tense moments in the relationship between President Donald Trump and his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky, amid intense peace talks between Moscow, Washington, and Kyiv.
According to the Department of State, in this case, the missiles will not come out of U.S. taxpayers' pockets. According to the official statement, the purchase is being made through a U.S. program that allows allied countries to finance weapons for Kyiv. In this case, Canada, Germany, and Norway are providing the funds. Washington defended the operation on strategic grounds.
"This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States by improving the security of a partner country that is a force for political and economic stability in Europe," the department said.
For Ukraine, the Patriots are an urgent necessity. In recent months, Russia has intensified its ballistic missile attacks on Kyiv and other major cities, and those interceptors are among the few systems capable of stopping them.
Zelensky raised this issue two weeks ago in an interview with "Meet the Press" on NBC News.
"Then we really build, try to build air defense shield to defend our civilians, but always a big deficit with Patriot missiles and other kind of air defense," he said.
The Ukrainian president also accused the Pentagon of delaying the delivery of interceptors that other countries had already purchased for Ukraine, one of several complaints that have marked recent weeks. Kyiv also denounced restrictions on the Starlink service, on which its drones depend, and on the exchange of intelligence that allows it to anticipate Russian attacks. Washington denied imposing those restrictions, although both services have resumed normal operations in recent days.
The announcement does not bridge the political divide between the two leaders. Trump hardened his rhetoric against Zelensky and portrayed him as an obstacle to ending the war, while strengthening ties with Moscow. This month he announced an agreement to purchase Russian diesel and suspended a significant portion of the new sanctions against Russia approved by Congress. Zelensky, for his part, went so far as to say he felt betrayed.
Meanwhile, diplomatic efforts continue. After a meeting in Oslo with Zelensky, Special Envoy Steve Witkoff traveled to Russia to propose a three-way summit to Vladimir Putin with Trump and the Ukrainian leader, who said he was fully prepared to attend.
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